This is Timber in my Santa hat, wishing you and your pets a very Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year! Did this holiday get here fast this year? It sure did for me and my family!

As you humans are racing around getting ready for feasts and family and decorating and presents, please remember to “pet proof” your homes for the holidays. You want your fur kids to be safe while you celebrate with your loved ones. Here is my annual list of things to do to keep us safe and happy. (Most of this applies to small human kids, too.)

Celebrating (noise) with your friends (strangers to your pet) can cause high anxiety in your dog or cat. Find a quiet place in your home for your pet to hang out during the festivities.

Stabilize your Christmas tree so that the dog can’t knock it over and the cat won’t climb through the branches and trunk. Have you seen the “hanging upside-down Christmas trees” on the internet this year? They look fun, but don’t underestimate your cat (or Husky) who might figure out a way to get into that tree anyway. Woof!